Area: 16.917 km² , Population: 943.484
GENERAL INFORMATION
Kayseri has been one of the most important trade centre in Anatolia over the history. Located in the right centre of the country, it has the feel of a modern, busy city but also has a strong traditional and religious atmosphere. The setting is spectacular, with the mountains of Erciyes Dagi and Kara Dagi in the background, a snow-capped volcano and green fields, and the nearby Sultansazligi bird sanctuary. The city is also well known for its textile and carpet industry, and has impressive monuments that reflect its history. Kayseri has always been a popular option as a base to explore Cappadocia.
HOW TO GET
By Road: Because of its position in the centre of the country, Kayseri is well positioned on bus routes going from east to west, and from north to south. Services include several buses daily from Istanbul (12 hours), Ankara (5 hours), Bursa (11 hours), Izmir (12 hours), Konya (4 hours) and Urgup (90 mins). The main bus station is on the west of the city centre, and there are dolmuses running to and from the bus station.
By Rail: There are two daily trains from Adana (7 hours) and Istanbul (12 hours), hourly from Ankara (9 hours), several weekly from Diyarbakir (20 hours), and one daily from Kars (24 hours). The train station is just north of the city centre.
By Air: There are two daily direct flights from Istanbul. The Erkilet Airport is 4km to the city centre.
DON'TLEAVE WITHOUT
- Trekking, skiing on Mount Erciyes
- Seeing rock churches within Erdemli and Soğanlı Valleys
- Picnicking at Kapuzbaşı Waterfalls
- Visiting Kayseri Castle and Medical History Museum,
- Sampling pastırma.
- Buying regional hand woven and Bünyan or Yahyalı carpets.
KULTEPE
Kultepe (Kanis Karum) Literally meaning Hill of Ashes, this settlement dates back to 4000 BC and is 20km northeast of Kayseri. It composes of an Assyrian trading colony called Karum, and a tumulus 500m diameter and 22m high. The town of Kanis was prominent from around 2500 BC, and it was the centre of Anatolia’s most prominent kingdom. It is possible to pick out the houses, roads and shops from the site, which is accessible to visitors, and is opposite the tumulus. It is now a famous open-air museum, having been rediscovered in 1881. Excavations since then have unearthed items from Assyrian, Roman, Persian and Hittite periods, including letters on tablets of stone written in the Assyrian language which are the oldest written documents of Anatolia. The best of the finds are exhibited in the Museum of Anatolian Civilisation in Ankara.
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